Astellas and Korea’s KISED Forge Strategic Alliance to Support Global Expansion of Drug Discovery Startups
Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), a key organization under Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups. This collaboration is part of the “Partnership with Global Companies Program,” a government-backed initiative designed to support Korean drug discovery startups in scaling their businesses and expanding globally.
A Public-Private Alliance to Propel Innovation
KISED, tasked with fostering entrepreneurial innovation in South Korea, will spearhead the overall management of the program and offer research funding to selected Korean biotech startups. Meanwhile, Astellas will provide hands-on support by granting these startups access to its state-of-the-art R&D facility, SakuLab™-Tsukuba, located at the Astellas Tsukuba Research Center in Japan. This program aims to be a launchpad for early-stage biotech companies, granting them the tools, expertise, and environment needed to turn promising research into viable global therapeutic innovations.
Through this MoU, the initiative has already selected its first two Korean biotech startups for residency at SakuLab™-Tsukuba:
- TCUBEiT Inc., a company advancing next-generation T-cell-based immunotherapy.
- AAVATAR Therapeutics, a specialist in adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector engineering technology.
These startups will relocate to Astellas’ research hub to begin active collaboration and integrate into a research community alongside Astellas experts and other biotech innovators.
How the Program Works
Under the newly formalized agreement:
- KISED will manage the overall program and fund research activities for selected startups.
- Astellas will:
- Offer access to SakuLab™-Tsukuba’s laboratory and office facilities.
- Provide mentoring and strategic consultation from internal scientific and business development experts.
- Facilitate interactions with Astellas researchers and other tenants in the facility.
- Enable startups to plug into its global R&D ecosystem and innovation networks.
By embedding early-stage companies in a supportive, resource-rich environment, Astellas seeks to help transform novel concepts into real-world therapeutic candidates that can benefit patients worldwide.
Leadership Statements
Dr. Tadaaki Taniguchi, Chief Research & Development Officer (CRDO) of Astellas, emphasized the importance of diverse collaboration in a rapidly evolving drug development landscape:
“We are very pleased to agree on a MoU with KISED for the operation of the Partnership with Global Companies Program. In today’s world, where innovative drug discovery ideas and technologies are emerging continuously, it is essential to harness diverse perspectives, expertise, and experiences. Astellas is committed to fostering innovation in collaboration with startups by offering the knowledge and insights we have accumulated through our research and global networks. We believe this MoU will further accelerate Korean biotech innovation and help deliver value to patients globally.”
KISED President Jong-pil Yoo echoed this sentiment, underlining the value of combining public support with private-sector expertise:
“This agreement marks an important step in the global expansion of high-potential Korean biotech and pharmaceutical startups. Astellas, as a global pharmaceutical company, brings a wealth of experience, infrastructure, and networks, which are vital for navigating the complex and resource-intensive process of drug development. Through this partnership, Korean startups will gain direct access to world-class research resources. KISED remains committed to forming more such strategic partnerships with global companies to increase the international competitiveness of Korean startups.”
SakuLab™-Tsukuba: A Launchpad for Drug Discovery Startups
SakuLab™-Tsukuba, the home base for this collaboration, is more than just a research facility. It is a purpose-built innovation ecosystem designed to support early-stage companies engaged in pharmaceutical research. The facility provides a collaborative space where startups can access advanced equipment, engage with Astellas researchers, and take advantage of cross-disciplinary innovation from peer companies. For startups entering the global pharma ecosystem, it offers a significant opportunity to bridge the gap between promising science and commercialization.
By relocating to the Tsukuba site, TCUBEiT and AAVATAR Therapeutics will receive tailored support throughout their R&D process. This includes technical mentorship, insights into regulatory strategy, and potential pathways toward clinical development and commercialization in international markets.
Why It Matters
Korea has emerged as a rising force in the global biotech industry, with a wave of research-focused startups making advances in gene therapy, immuno-oncology, and biologics. However, the leap from discovery to global market entry requires infrastructure, funding, and global partnerships. Programs like this MoU between Astellas and KISED fill that gap, accelerating innovation by combining Korea’s entrepreneurial momentum with Astellas’ industry-leading capabilities.
The collaboration underscores a growing trend of multinational pharmaceutical companies partnering with government-affiliated organizations to scout and nurture innovation from new global hubs. For Astellas, this initiative aligns with its strategic goals of embracing external innovation and expanding its reach into emerging biotech ecosystems, especially in Asia.
For Korea, the partnership supports the government’s larger mission to transform the country into a biotech powerhouse by providing its startups with the means to scale internationally. It also aligns with national efforts to position Korean biotech ventures on the global stage through strategic alliances and access to global commercialization pipelines.
Financial Impact and Outlook
From a financial perspective, Astellas has stated that the impact of this agreement on its fiscal results for the year ending March 31, 2026, is expected to be minor. However, the long-term value of this partnership extends well beyond immediate financial returns.
This initiative reflects Astellas’ broader strategy of investing in external innovation through structured programs, startup incubation, and open collaborations. With the rapid advancement of cell and gene therapies, immunotherapies, and AI-driven drug discovery, establishing early access to frontier technologies is becoming essential for global pharmaceutical companies.
The current MoU also opens the door for more Korean startups to join future cohorts, providing a replicable model that combines public funding with private-sector infrastructure and expertise.
Astellas’ partnership with KISED represents a forward-looking alliance aimed at empowering Korean biotech startups to thrive on the global stage. By marrying public sector ambition with private sector execution, this initiative promises to drive scientific discovery, foster economic growth, and accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies.
As TCUBEiT and AAVATAR Therapeutics take their first steps within the SakuLab™-Tsukuba ecosystem, this program sets a precedent for how cross-border innovation can be structured, funded, and scaled—benefiting not only the startups involved but also patients worldwide who await the next generation of therapies.
